Thatcham felled in Falkland derby defeat

Leaders hold spot but it's getting tight at the top

FALKLAND’S second string closed the gap on Thatcham at the top of Division Three A of the Morrant Thames Valley League with a comprehensive win at Enborne Lodge on Saturday.

Thatcham’s attack was punished by James Bird’s 73 and a superb 86 from Graham Beal as the home side posted 243-8 in their 52 overs, Chris Bird bowling a marathon stint of 21 overs for the visitors to take 4-84 while Duncan Johnson took 3-63.

Falkland kept the old ball and reeled off the victims to reduce the league leaders to 120-6 in 29 overs, and although Scott Gibson resisted with an unbeaten 34, Thatcham fell well short at 175 in the final over.

Thatcham remain nine points clear, but only 31 split the top half of the table with seven games to play.

Newbury lost some ground when going down three wickets to Cove II in the final over.

Falkland’s first XI sustained a Division One promotion blow when bowing to Chesham by four wickets.

Hamza Riazuddin’s unbeaten 106 dominated Falkland’s 216-6 but Andy Goddard’s 70 led the home side to the target with four balls to spare.